Matatiele, South Africa, 03 October 2016 – Communities who stand to be affected by unconventional gas exploration and extraction in South Africa – namely in the KwaZulu Natal, Eastern Cape and Free State Provinces – and those who are currently fighting existing or proposed mines across the country will be meeting from 3rd to 5th of October in Matatiele, Eastern Cape.

The gathering, titled “FrackFreeFestival”, will also be attended by local traditional authorities and government officials. Also in attendance, will be members from communities in the Karoo, which was formerly designated for shale-gas fracking. Speakers from various parliamentary portfolio committees and national government departments have been invited to attend and be addressed by the gathering on Wednesday, 5th of October.

There are three main objectives of this meeting:

Share stories and strategies to protect people’s rights and resources.

Explore alternative energy sources and sustainable livelihoods.

Produce a common statement from environmental justice groups from South Africa’s civil society.

There will be site visits to an off-grid complex and a village biogas system.

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